A 40-year-old law student who competed against Chief Justice David Maraga for the Judiciary's top post is a beneficiary of Sh50,000 bursary from Bungoma County.
Paul Andrew Udoto Kongani has been studying at the Kenya School of Law (KSL) in Nairobi to prepare for his admission to the Bar.
Kongani joined KSL in 2015 but was at the risk of dropping out for lack of school fees before the Bungoma County Government came to his rescue.
In 2016, the Moi University Law School Graduate hoped to be the successor of former CJ Willy Mutunga but was disqualified after he failed to meet the 15-year experience required for holders of the post.
During his interview before the Judicial Service Commission, Mr Kongani revealed that it had taken him 11 years to complete his degree as he could not afford college fees.
His father, Mzee Wawire Kongani, died in 2004 before he graduated leaving him with a huge fee balance.
"I was left with a fee balance of about Sh250,000, out of which my mother Petronilla Nelima could only afford Sh5,000. My clan contributed Sh3,000 after a two-year reassurance and my elder brother Sh3,000," he narrated.
While at Moi University, Kongani interned part-time at a law firm where he was able to gain two years of experience and later became a freelance legal adviser after his hopes of completing his studies were crushed.
He later became a carpenter in Bungoma town at the age of 27 where, after four years, he was able to raise enough money to complete his undergraduate studies.
After Kongani got the bursary, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka applauded his ambition and encouraged him to always aim high.
Kongani was among 13 candidates who were interviewed for the Chief Justice of Kenya position last year.
[caption caption="Paul Andrew Udoto Kongani during the interview for Chief Justice position"]
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